Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said today he was surprised by the strong showing of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll published Sunday, but he cautioned there’s still a long time until the Iowa Caucuses in February.

The poll on support for Republican presidential candidates showed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leading with 23 percent and Bachmann at 22 percent among potential caucus-goers. Retired Georgia businessman Herman Cain was third at 10 percent.

“I think nationally (Romney) is the favorite,” Branstad told reporters. “I think the surprising thing was how strong Michele Bachmann was. But you know, polls are a snapshot in time and this is very early in the process. So a lot of things could change between now and caucus night.”